When your camera has a mind of its own.
1/500, f/29, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Four days ago at Bear River MBR, when this female Clark’s Grebe with chicks on her back started swimming directly toward me, it seemed to take forever before all three birds turned their heads to put light on their faces and in their eyes. I often had two out of three but there always seemed to be at least one slacker. Finally, for only two shots out of dozens, it happened. I’m pretty pleased with the results, even though there was one huge fly in the ointment.
My Canon R5, all by itself, had decided to set my aperture at f/29 (I should have been at f/7.1), which of course slowed my shutter speed down considerably and made my images a little softer than I like. I’ve seen reports from others who have had the same problem with the R5 and this was the second time it’s happened to me in the last week or so. It’s discombobulating, to say the very least.
I wish I’d noticed it sooner than I did. Before I realized what aperture I was shooting at I got at least one other photo of an American Avocet chick that I like quite a lot, except for the fact that its entire left leg is dreadfully soft because of a lack of shutter speed.
I may post it anyway. If I do, you’ll already know why that leg is so soft.
Ron
Your photo is wonderful in so many ways, but I find myself especially fascinated by momma’s black stylish “hat”. I had no idea it could stand up like that. I thought the black feathers were flush to the head.
Your photos and writing are a delight. Thank you
“Ready for my close up, Mr. Dudley.” Such a stylish momma.
D’awwww. I think the softness adds to the image of a lovely little family with a doting mama and contented chicks. This image definitely makes me smile. 😃
Good. Thanks, Marty.
Ooo, such a winner! Look how contented those chicks look – the coziness of mom’s feathers, riding the ferry, no worries. The little white tips of the chicks’ beaks is neat – like little pearls. And the water, just wow! I could look at this one all day!
Carolyn, those white tips of their bills always remind of the tips of Candy Corn.
She is so pretty. I love that her crest looks like she’s just got her hair done. And the chicks to either side.
I agree, Arwen. She’s quite attractive.
Ooh. And ahh. I put any ‘softness’ down to the melting of my stony heart. Michael is right – and I am not even a mother.
Thanks, EC.
Adorable photo!
Some people believe that unexplainable changes in electronic devices are a ‘am thinking about you and love you’ message from departed loved ones. Not sure your science brain can accept this possibility! It’s a comforting belief.
Nope, it doesn’t work for me, Kathleen – for two reasons.
For me it isn’t logical. And if the departed one was “loved”, I sure as heck hope he/she would choose some other way to show their affection. If that’s the best they can do, I’d rather not know about it. 🙂
Sensational shot!
Charlotte Norton
Thanks, Charlotte.
Nice shot. It is hard to get them all looking the right way. I have a zillion shots but not many with catch light on the eyes or good light with the birds looking into the light area.
So I am not crazy or bumping my settings? I also have my focal point box move into the upper right by it’s self even while shooting in a continuous burst. I know I did not touch the toggle button, I have watched it move. I have not had it overheating or locking up since I took it back to factory setting and reset everything, along with one of the updates I took off and reinstalled.
I have not been out shooting much lately in June. It will be interesting to see if some of the other problems have resolved with the reset. I hope to get out one or two days before the month is over. Between family members needing help with medical issues and my car being a target to hit and slow repair times, my care free month book up to capacity. Some of my mother’s dates for surgeries and radiation might be pushed into the first part of August now. One day at a time. We will get there.
Thanks, April. Maybe occasional unpredictability (unreliability) is one of the many prices we pay for all this incredible technology but it’s frustrating as hell when it happens.
So no, you’re not crazy. At least not for that reason… 🙂
Oops I meant July! I was thinking of a million things at the same time and my brain misfired.
Ron,
What a great shot. It is perfect. You’re way to critical of yourself (IMHO) but that is why you are so good. I REALLY like this shot!!
Stephen
Glad to know you like it that much, Stephen. Thank you.
TOO cute! 🙂 It would be infuriating to have the camera suddenly, radically change the aperture! 🙁 Does it try and do it again if you catch it and change it back to where you want it?
Smoke “bad” last evening and into early this morning. In theory we get a bit of a break mid-day tho it will be back. Sounds like there are new fires in Canada so unless we get some SW winds we’re screwed – may be anyway as we sure don’t need the heat from down S!
“Does it try and do it again if you catch it and change it back to where you want it?”
No, it doesn’t, Judy. At least I can be grateful for that.
Ditto with Kris’s comment re Michael’s suggestion. Really like it when something you want to photo changes direction and heads right for you. Does not happen often enough. So good too to have the 3 catch eyes and the right light etc. Very good photo. Love the adult Clark’s red eye.
100 everyday even up here in the Prescott mountains and of course really hot temps down in the Valley and in western AZ.
Thanks, Everett. We’re supposed to be at or above 100° for at least the next week or so. I can’t imagine living at low elevations in AZ.
Beautiful capture…….and I love Michael’s idea, which certainly beats all of the
Mother’s Day cards I’ve ever seen. Mama’s crest looks almost “groomed”?
Is that because of the head-on angle, unusual in an image of mama ferrying
her chicks. I really like this one !
“Is that because of the head-on angle”
Kris, their triangular crest, when it’s erected like that, is naturally very “crisp” in its shape. Probably because the crest feathers are so short.
Very sweet shot. Sometimes a little softness isn’t bad.
Agreed, Ken. The question is, is this one of those times…
I think so. And wonderful waves and reflections.
Spectacular, Ron! Simply spectacular! I’ll be coming back to this one again and again. Thank you!
I love it! Put that photo on a greeting card and you got a Mothers Day card that would melt any woman’s heart.
Well, that’s an idea. It even has a vertical composition, perfect for a greeting card. Thanks, Michael.